1. The overall objective is to address key R&D priorities identified by the Qld TRAWLMAC, QFIRAC, QFS, GBRMPA and the FRDC Effects of Trawling Sub-Program in relation to environmental sustainability assessments of the Qld East Coast Trawl Fishery with respect to effects on bycatch and seabed benthic assemblages, and support ecologically-based management of the fishery, achieve environmental sustainability, Strategic Assessment and accreditation. Specifically:
2. Develop & provide maps of the distribution of seabed assemblages to managers and stakeholders, with the outcome of management strategies effective in minimising fishery effects on seabed habitats & assemblages, and achievement of Management Plan targets.
3. For both bycatch & benthos, develop quantitative indicators of exposure to & effects of trawling, and sustainability risk indicators, as required for the environmental Strategic Assessment of the QECTF.
4. Provide critical input to a dynamic model of indicators for the status of seabed assemblages and conduct ecological assessments of recent and proposed management changes using an MSE approach, and enable capability for evaluation of future options.
5. Contribute to quantifying the large-scale effects of trawling on bycatch species and benthos assemblages by analysing their abundance across the range of trawl intensities within and outside trawl grounds, while accounting for habitat variability.
6. Develop transferable scientific methods and tools to facilitate regional marine management planning nationally, including: knowledge of bio-physical relationships between assemblages and the physical environment (surrogates), cost-effective survey designs & techniques (including performance of rapid assessment tools: video & acoustics), spatial-statistical classification & prediction methods, and sustainability risk indicators for seabed species, assemblages and communities.
7. Complete a sixth 35 day field sampling voyage on the AIMS research vessel (Lady Basten) to fill critical gaps remaining in the southern GBR.
8. Complete a fourth 35 day field sampling voyage on the QDPI&F fisheries research vessel (Gwendoline May) to fill critical gaps remaining in the southern GBR.
9. Produce maps of habitats and biodiversity values to assist Commonwealth and State managers of the GBR Marine Park to recognise and conserve marine biodiversity consistent with CAR principles, and assist managers of Queensland's fisheries to ensure that trawling in the WHA is consistent with ESD principles.
